VANCOUVER, Dec. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Unifor, Canada's largest union in the energy sector, says the National Energy Board is out of touch with Canadians.

"In spite of overwhelming opposition from Canadians, the National Energy Board has opted to approve the Northern Gateway Project," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "The NEB has shown just how out of touch it is with Canadians. It is once again ignoring very valid concerns."

Dias said that the conditions attached to approval of the project fail to address key problems- such as the massive export of raw bitumen, and with it 25,000 jobs if processing was done in Canada.

Scott Doherty, Unifor Western Regional Director voiced his concern for what the pipelines will mean for the region. "The export pipeline clearly demonstrates the unsustainable pace of development," said Doherty. "Add to that the lack of desire or leadership by the government to deal with this looming issue."

"Never in its history has the NEB rejected a pipeline proposal," said Doherty. "If it was ever going to do it -it should have been this time. First Nations groups, residents of both provinces, environmental groups, labour unions and many others roundly opposed this project."

Unifor represents more than 20,000 energy workers across Canada, including in the Alberta bitumen sands. Across the country, the union represents more than 300,000 members in 20 different economic sectors. Unifor was this past Labour Day weekend, by the joining together of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Canadian Auto Workers union.